Christine Forbes
Christine, what makes you pick up a brush or pen?
Artists are naturally driven to express themselves. Those who have known major trauma in their lives may be even more driven. That definitely applies to me. All this occurred whilst I was studying for a degree in fine art some 15 years ago and the result of this period of intense focus was that I now apprehend the world differently.
What do you hope other people receive from your art?
It is very important to be able to communicate with the viewer in some way. For me, it’s like directing traffic. I want certain things to be seen, and others, not. The viewer is always coming from a very different place to myself, but I hope there is a place we ‘meet’ with the artwork. Usually, other artists find it easier to read my work than the layman. Perhaps this is because my work is made through certain processes and this is as important to me as visual aesthetics.
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Where do the ideas for your abstract forms originate? From your head ? your brush? from colours?
All my work has a very particular point of origin. My abstract work may start with a number of visual stimuli and these ideas will still have a strong figurative (something that we can all see and understand) content. I develop many drawings on scraps of paper and then work these forward into more formal exercises. Considerations of ‘what’ these emerging forms mean to me must then be addressed. More ideas may come into the equation, others may get thrown out. On a timeline, this kind of work may take years to develop.
I am starting some new work under this banner this year and am already working through some sketches. The ideas and imagery for this new project I have been working with many years.
Head and brush are the combination for me. I guide my own thinking through tasks (to steer me away from a busy brain.) How I lay down my brushwork is very important (in keeping with Chinese and Japanese calligraphy and philosophy). Black is my main colour. Other colours will ‘find themselves’ along the way. Some of my work may be highly coloured but colour is still just a visual device.
In your more figurative works, you clearly engage with the object in front of you.
What simple advice would you give someone who wanted to see the world as you do?
It is not possible for anyone to see the world as I do. Everyone has their own experiences of life which will affect how and what they want to view in the art world. But I hope people find an anchor of connection to what I do. Certainly some viewers seem to appreciate art statements that I place with my exhibited work. I want people to see my artwork through their own portal. All I can do, particularly through my teaching, is to encourage, guide and demonstrate how I have arrived at this art place.
It’s also about getting used to living with constant questions that arise and never dwelling on quick solutions or conclusions. The only conclusion I ever have is the day before I have to pack up work to go to exhibition!
Thank you Christine.